'Over The Tracks & Between The Lines' - Part 1
The first layer that you see being applied here is called an imprimatura. In Italian it means "first paint layer". It is one of many underpainting techniques used by painters since the Middle Ages to build form, value, and color up over time by breaking elements down into more manageable steps. An imprimatura is the initial, transparent stain applied to the canvas to tone the ground and lay out initial shapes. Imprimaturas can bring an overall sense of harmony. The chorus of color running below the surface influences succeeding colors and can often be seen humming through the final layers of a painting.
